Editing an ITP Route Table File

Cisco IP Transfer Points (ITPs) use a route table to select the appropriate signaling path for each message, or signal unit, that it must forward. The route table provides the destination point code of the packet and the linkset name that it uses to forward the packet.

Note ITP route tables do not support Virtual linksets, and the Cisco Mobile Wireless Transport Manager (MWTM) does not display Virtual linksets in the Route Table dialog box.

Opening a Route Table File from a File

To open a route table file from a file, choose Tools > Route Table Editor > From File from the MWTM main menu, select the name of a route table file, then click OK.

Note When you open a route table from a file or archive, the MWTM preserves the order of entries that have the same Destination Point Code, Mask, and Cost.

If the chosen route table file contains incorrect linkset entries (for example, if your network configuration changed since the last time the route table file was saved), the Replace Linkset dialog box appears.

You can use the Replace Linkset dialog box to quickly replace incorrect linkset entries in route table files when your network configuration changes.

Field or Button

Description

Linksets That Are No Longer Valid

Indicates the incorrect linksets in the route table file.

Auto Replace with Linkset

Replaces the highlighted incorrect linkset with a correct linkset, chosen from the drop-down list box, in all affected entries in the route table file.

To replace an incorrect linkset with a correct linkset, select an incorrect linkset in the Linksets That Are No Longer Valid table, then select a correct linkset from the Auto Replace with Linkset drop-down list box, then click Apply. The MWTM automatically replaces the incorrect linkset with the chosen correct linkset in all affected entries in the route table file.

Remove Entries Containing Selected Linkset

Removes all entries that contain the highlighted incorrect linkset from the route table file.

To remove all entries that contain an incorrect linkset from the route table fie, select an incorrect linkset in the Linksets That Are No Longer Valid table, then check the Remove Entries Containing Selected Linkset check box, then click Apply. The MWTM automatically removes all entries that contain the incorrect linkset from the route table file.

Apply

Applies any changes you made to the route table file and closes the Replace Linkset dialog box. When you have corrected all incorrect linkset entries in the route table file, the Apply button becomes the Done button.

Opening a Route Table File from a Node

•Select a network object in a window, then choose Tools > Route Table Editor > From Node from the MWTM main menu. (If you select an Unmanaged node, this option is dimmed and cannot be chosen.)

•Right-click a signaling point in a window, then choose Edit > Route Table from the right-click menu. (If you select an Unmanaged signaling point, this option is dimmed and cannot be chosen.)

Note When you open a route table from a node, the MWTM cannot preserve the order of entries that have the same Destination Point Code, Mask, and Cost. Instead, the MWTM loads the entries based on the Destination Linkset. If you need to preserve the order of entries that have the same Destination Point Code, Mask, and Cost, right-click one of the entries and select Move Up or Move Down to move the entry up or down in the route table. The MWTM preserves the new order of the entries when you save the route table.

If more than one signaling point is associated with the node, the Choose Signaling Point dialog box appears, which you use to select the signaling point whose route table you want to edit.

Field or Button

Description

Signaling Point List

Drop-down list box of signaling points. Select the signaling point with the point code, variant, and network name that matches the route table file you want to edit. If you select a signaling point that has the:

•Wrong variant, the MWTM shows the message:

Point code out of range.

•Correct variant but the wrong instance, the Replace Linkset dialog box appears, prompting you to replace or remove most or all of the linksets.

OK

Opens the route table associated with the chosen signaling point.

The MWTM reads the active route table from the node and shows it in the Route Table dialog box

Cancel

Closes the Choose Signaling Point dialog box without selecting a signaling point.

Opening a Route Table File from an Archive

To open a route table file from an archive, use one of these procedures:

•Select a network object in a window, then choose Tools > Route Table Editor > From Archive from the MWTM main menu. (If you select an Unmanaged node, this option is dimmed and cannot be chosen.)

•From the Route Table dialog box, choose File > Load from Archive.

•From the Archive Management window, select a route table file from the list, then choose File > Open File.

Note When you open a route table from a file or archive, the MWTM preserves the order of entries that have the same Destination Point Code, Mask, and Cost.

The Load Route Table from Archive wizard appears. If more than one signaling point is associated with the node, the Select Node/SP dialog box appears, which you use to select the node and signaling point whose route table you want to edit.

The left pane of the Load Route Table from Archive wizard contains:

Field or Button

Description

Select Node/SP

You can select the signaling point from which the route table file should be loaded. You can optionally check the Filter by Node check box, which limits signaling point selection to a specific node.

Select a signaling point and node (optional) from the drop-down list boxes in the right pane. The MWTM retrieves route table filenames from the chosen signaling point.

If no route table filenames are available, the process ends with errors. If route table filenames are available, the MWTM proceeds directly to the Select Version step.

Select Version

You can select the version you want to load. Click a version to highlight it, then select Next. The table includes:

Unique number identifying each entry in the route table. You cannot edit this field, but the number might change as you add entries to or delete entries from the route table.

Destination Point Code

Destination point code for packets on the chosen node. The destination point code is the point code to which a given packet is routed. To edit the destination point code, enter the new code in this field.

If you enter a new destination point code that is less restrictive than the mask, the MWTM shows a message to that effect at the bottom of the Route Table dialog box, and performs one of these actions. If you:

•Modified an existing point code, the MWTM restores the previous point code.

•Entered an entirely new point code, the MWTM leaves this field blank.

For example, a destination point code of 7.7.7, which specifies 14 bits, is less restrictive than a mask of 7.255.0, which specifies only 11 bits. The MWTM ignores the extra bits in the last digit of the destination point code and converts it to 7.7.0.

To add a new route to the route table, select the Destination Point Code field in a blank row, then fill in the field with the destination point code for the new route. When you move the cursor to another field in the row, the MWTM automatically populates the rest of the fields with the default values for those fields.

You can specify the point code mask when you enter a destination point code. To do so, enter the destination point code, then a slash (/), then the number of bits in the mask. For example, if you specify 7.255.6/14, the MWTM shows 7.255.7 in the Destination Point Code field and 7.255.7 (or 14) in the Mask field.

•ANSI and China standard networks using the default 24-bit point code format, the default mask is 255.255.255 (or 24).

If the Destination Point Code is a network route with the format x.x.0, the default mask is 255.255.0 (or 16).

If the Destination Point Code is a cluster route with the format x.0.0, the default mask is 255.0.0 (or 8).

•ITU networks using the default 14-bit point code format, the default mask is 7.255.7 (or 14).

If the Destination Point Codeis a network route with the format x.x.0, the default mask is 7.255.0 (or 11).

If the Destination Point Code is a cluster route with the format x.0.0, the default mask is 7.0.0 (or 3).

•NTT and TTC networks using the default 16-bit point code format, the default mask is 31.15.127 (or 16).

If the Destination Point Code is a network route with the format x.x.0, the default mask is 31.15.0 (or 9).

If the Destination Point Code is a cluster route with the format x.0.0, the default mask is 31.0.0 (or 5).

To edit the mask, make the changes in this field.

Mask(continued)

If you enter a new mask, the binary conversion of the mask cannot contain ones (1) to the right of zeros (0). For example:

•7.255.7 is a valid mask because it converts to binary 111.11111111.111.

•7.255.1 is not a valid mask because it converts to binary 111.11111111.001.

If you enter an invalid mask, such as 7.255.1, a message appears to that effect at the bottom of the Route Table dialog box, and performs one of these actions. If you:

•Modified an existing mask, the MWTM restores the previous mask.

•Entered an entirely new mask, the MWTM leaves this field blank.

If you enter a new mask that is more restrictive than the destination point code, the MWTM asks if you want to adjust the point code automatically based on the new mask. Click:

•Yes if you want to adjust the point code. For example, if the point code is 7.7.7, and you enter the new mask 7.255.0, the MWTM automatically adjusts the point code to 7.7.0.

•No if you do not want to adjust the point code. If you:

–Modified an existing mask, the MWTM restores the previous mask.

–Entered an entirely new mask, the MWTM leaves this field blank.

If the MWTM is displaying point code masks in dotted-decimal format and you enter a number of bits, the MWTM automatically converts the number of bits to dotted-decimal format. For example, if you enter 24, the MWTM automatically converts the mask to 255.255.255.

If the MWTM is displaying point code masks in bits format and you enter a mask in dotted-decimal format, the MWTM automatically converts the mask to a number of bits. For example, if you enter 255.255.255, the MWTM automatically converts the mask to 24.

Cost

Cost of the route to the destination, relative to other routes. Select a cost from the drop-down list box. The valid costs range from 1 (lowest cost and highest priority) through 9 (highest cost and lowest priority).

Note If you configure two routes to the same node and do not specify a cost for one of them, then the cost for that node defaults automatically to 5. The default cost appears here in the Cost column, and in the output of the show cs7 route command.

Similarly, if you add a new line to this table and leave the Cost column blank, the MWTM automatically enters a default cost of 5.

Linksets with the same cost form a combined linkset. Do not specify more than two linksets with the same cost, under the same destination point code and mask.

If the Destination Point Code is an adjacent point code, the default Cost is 1.

Destination Linkset

Destination linkset associated with the destination point code. The destination linkset is also called the output linkset. To edit the destination linkset, select a destination linkset from the drop-down list box. None is the default setting.

QoS

Quality of service (QoS) class of the route, that the network administrator configured. To edit the QoS class of the route, select a QoS class from the drop-down list box. Valid QoS classes range from 1 through 7. Select ALL if you want the route to accept all QoS classes. ALL is the default value.

When you change the QoS class for a route, the MWTM automatically changes the QoS classes for all other routes in that route set (that is, all other routes with the same Destination Point Code) to the new class.

Sort Table

Sorts the entries in the route table field-by-field, beginning with Dest. Point Code, then Mask, Cost, Dest.Linkset, and finally QoS.

Add Entry

Scrolls to a blank row in the route table and selects the Destination Point Codefield. Fill in the field with the destination point code for the new route, then fill in the rest of the fields in the row.

Delete Entry

Deletes one or more chosen rows from the table. The Confirm Deletion dialog box appears. To:

•Delete the chosen rows, click Yes. The rows are deleted from the table and the Confirm Deletion dialog box closes.

•Retain the chosen rows, click No. The rows are kept in the table and the Confirm Deletion dialog box closes.

•Prevent MWTM from displaying the Confirm Deletion dialog box, check the Do not show this again check box.

Note If you check the Do not show this again check box, and you later decide you want MWTM to begin displaying the Confirm Deletion dialog box again, you must check the Confirm Deletions check box in the General GUI settings in the Preferences window. For more information, see the description of the Confirm Deletions check box in Startup/Exit Settings, page 5-3.

If you have implemented MWTM User-Based Access, this option is available to users with authentication level Network Administrator (level 4) and higher.

Loading an Existing Route Table File

You use the MWTM to load a specific route table file and change the list of route table files. To load an existing route table file, use one of these procedures. Choose:

•File > Load from Signaling Point from the route table menu. The Choose Signaling Point dialog box appears. For details, see Opening a Route Table File from a Node. In the Signaling Point List drop-down list box, select the signaling point with the point code, variant, and network name that matches the route table file that you want to edit, then click OK. The MWTM reads the active route table from the ITP and shows it in the Route Table dialog box. For details, see Editing ITP Route Tables.

Loads the chosen route table file, saves any changes you made to the list of files, and closes the dialog box.

To load a route table file, double-click it in the list, select it in the list and click OK; or, enter the name of the file and click OK. The MWTM loads the route table file, saves any changes you made to the list of files, closes the Load File dialog: Route Table file list, and returns to the Route Table dialog box.

Delete

Deletes the chosen file from the route table file list. The MWTM issues an informational message containing the name and location of the deleted file.

Cancel

Closes the dialog box without loading a route table file or saving any changes to the route table file list.

Help

Shows online help for the dialog box.

Deploying a Route Table File

You use the Deployment wizard to validate a route table file, upload it to an ITP, archive the file, and activate it on the ITP. To launch the Deployment wizard for a route table file, choose File > Deploy from the route table menu (see Deploying ITP Files, page 5-33).

Saving a Route Table File

You use the MWTM to save a specific route table file and change the list of route table files.

Use one of these procedures. To save the changes you made to the route table file:

•Without changing the name of the file, choose File > Save from the route table menu.

•A different directory, then the MWTM route table file directory resides in that directory.

You can use the mwtm routedir command to change the directory in which the MWTM stores ITP route table files (and to enable the TFTP path to deploy a route table; see mwtm routedir, page B-124).

Note If another user modifies and saves the route table file before you save your changes, the MWTM asks if you want to overwrite that user's changes. If you do, the other user's changes are overwritten and lost. If you do not, your changes are lost, unless you save the route table file to a different filename.

Field, Button, or Icon

Description

Type

Icon indicating whether the item in the table is a file or a folder.

Name

Name of the route table file or folder.

Last Modified

Date and time the route table file or folder was last modified.

Size (bytes)

Size of the route table file or folder, in bytes.

Filename

Name by which you want to save the route table file.

If you create a new route table filename, you can use any letters, numbers, or characters in the name that your operating system allows. However, if you include any spaces in the new name, the MWTM converts those spaces to dashes. For example, the MWTM saves file a b c as a-b-c.

Number of Files(visible in bottom left corner)

Total number of route table files and folders.

OK

Saves any changes you made to the route table file being edited and any changes you made to the list of files and closes the dialog box.

To save the route table file with a new name, use one of these procedures. To save the file with:

•A completely new name, enter the new name and click OK.

•An existing name, overwriting an old route table file, select the name in the list and click OK.

The MWTM saves the route table file with the new name, saves any changes you made to the list of files, closes the Save File dialog: Route Table file list dialog box, and returns to the Route Table dialog box.

If two or more entries in the route table have the same Destination Point Code, Mask, and Cost, the MWTM preserves the order of the entries when you save the route table.

Delete

Deletes the chosen file from the route table file list. The MWTM issues an informational message containing the name and location of the deleted file.

Cancel

Closes the dialog box without saving the route table file or saving any changes to the route table file list.

Help

Shows online help for the dialog box.

Reverting to the Last Saved Route Table File

To revert to the last saved version of the route table file, choose File > Revert from the route table menu. The MWTM shows the last saved version of the file.

•A different directory, then the MWTM route table directory resides in that directory.

Step 3 Ensure that the MWTM header lines in the file precede the ITP route table entries. The MWTM header lines use this format:

!! Created by MWTM 6.1.2

!! on June 12, 2009 6:42:54 PM

!! Do not edit this file by hand.

!v6.1.0

!ted220dbc4a

!p800:ITU:National:[net0]

where:

•Comment lines begin with double exclamation points (!!).

•The version line begins with !v. This line indicates the version of MWTM that was used to create the file.

•The timestamp line begins with !t. This line indicates the date and time, in hexadecimal, that the file was created.

•The point code line begins with !p. This line indicates the point code that the ITP used, in hexadecimal, followed by the point code variant (ANSI, China, ITU, NTT, or TTC), the network indicator (National, NationalSpare, International, or InternationalSpare), and the network name. In this example:

!p8b0:ITU:National:[net0]

the point code is 1.22.0, the point code variant is ITU, the network indicator is National, and the network name is net0.